Glossary for Transient Ischemic Attack

Aganglionosis, total intestinal: A developmental defect of the intestinal tract where the muscles of the intestines are unable to function and move food along the digestive tract. This form of Hirschsprung disease is differentiated from the other types by the location of the genetic defect.

Amaurosis fugax: A rare condition where a temporary blockage of blood flow to the retina causes vision loss in the affected eye until the blood flow returns.

Atherosclerosis: Atherosclerosis is a syndrome affecting arterial blood vessels. It is a chronic inflammatory response in the walls of arteries, in large part due to the accumulation of macrophage white blood cells and promoted by low density (especially small particle) lipoproteins (plasma proteins that carry cholesterol and triglycerides) without adequate removal of fats and cholesterol from the macrophages by functional high density lipoproteins (HDL). It is commonly referred to as a hardening or furring of the arteries. It is caused by the formation of multiple plaques within the arteries.

Cigarette Smoking -- Teratogenic Agent: There is strong evidence to indicate that cigarette smoking during pregnancy may have a teratogenic effect on the fetus. A teratogen is a substance that can cause birth defects. The likelihood and severity of defects may be affected by the level of exposure and the stage of pregnancy that the exposure occurred at.

Internal carotid agenesis: A very rare malformation where the carotid artery fails to develop. Other brain blood vessels enlarge to try to compensate for the defect and this leads to compression of parts of the brain which can cause neurological symptoms. The severity of symptoms is determined by how well the existing brain blood vessels are able to compensate for the absence of the carotid artery.

Intracranial hemorrhage: Bleeding inside the skull. The condition is a medical emergency and the greater the bleeding, the more severe the condition.

Migraine: Chronic recurring headaches with or without a preceding aura.

Primary angiitis of the central nervous system: Inflammation of blood vessels that affect the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord). There are three main types within this category: benign angiitis of the central nervous system (BACNS), granulomatous angiitis of the central nervous system (GACNS) and atypical primary angiitis of the central nervous system (atypical ACNS). Symptoms vary depending on which particular type is involved and which part of the central nervous system is involved.

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